Laminate Packaging

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to stacks of panels ( 1 ), in particular, laminated panels, packaged for transport or storage. Said stack comprises several coated panels, for example, laminated panels, panels made from plywood, fibreboard or wood panels. The stack further comprises a packaging, with at least one strap ( 3 ), going around the stack and/or at least one retainer element ( 2 ), on the front side of the stack for fixing the panels. For example, the strap or the retainer element are provided in addition to further packaging elements, such as shrink-wrap or cardboard completely or partly enclosing the panels. The retainer element can, for example, be fixed to the stack and enclose the front face of the stack. By means of both measures, either individually or in combination, the withdrawal and removal of single panels from the stack is hindered or prevented. For example the strap can run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the panels. The strap can also be of elastic embodiment and applied such as to hold the individual panels tight. In a further embodiment, the strap lies so tightly on the stack that on withdrawing a panel, in particular, the outer panel, said strap is tipped in the longitudinal direction of the stack and thus tightens preventing a further withdrawal. By arrangement of the strap perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stack, the possibility of stacking several stacks on top of each other is not affected.

The present invention relates to stacks of panels, in particularlaminate panels packaged for transport and storage. Generally, laminatepanels are packaged in layered stacks of, for example, 4 to 10 panels.The stacks are generally shrink-wrapped in transparent foil and/orpacked in specially shaped or folded packaging cardboard. The foils are,for example, shrink-foils based on polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride orpolyethylene terephthalate. The packaging or foils, in accordance withthe Packaging Ordinance, are made such that volume and mass arerestricted to the immediately necessary amount. The packaging or foilhas the disadvantage that it can be torn easily by hand or a pointedobject in order to remove individual panels.

This may be the case in a DIY store, for example. The cash-and-carrygoods put on display in a DIY store are opened regularly by thecustomers in order to pull out individual panels partly or entirely, forexample for a better assessment of the surface design. Moreover, in thecase of vertical transport of the stacks in conjunction with the factthat the panels are sharp-edged, the foil may become overstressed inplaces and rip. These panels, in particular the outermost ones in thepackage, can later be put back in the packaging only with difficulty ornot at all. Due to the suspicious attitude customers generally have withrespect to opened retail packaging, namely with regard to the state andthe quality of the goods, the opened stacks are generally difficult tosell.

In view of the above-described disadvantages, it is therefore the objectof the present invention to provide a stack of panels that is improvedwith regard to packaging.

This object is achieved by a generic apparatus having the features ofclaim 1. Advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims.

The stack according to the invention comprises several stacked panels.They are, for example, laminate panels, boards of plywood, fiberboardsor wood panels. In addition, the stack has a packaging. In addition,means against the removal of the panels from the packaging are provided.These means, for example, constitute a comprehensive protection againstdamage to the packaging. Damage may arise, for example, due tomechanical impacts upon the packaging. These mechanical stresses arise,for example, during transport of the stack or by intentional impact onthe packaging with a pointed object. In another embodiment, the meansagainst the removal of the panels additionally restrict the freedom ofmovement of the panels within the stack and thus constitute anadditional protection against the removal of individual panels from thepackaging, compared to the conventional packaging. Advantageously,pulling out and taking out individual panels from the stack is thus madedifficult or prevented.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the means against removalof the panels advantageously comprise a strap around the stack. Thepanels are fixed against each other by the strap. Removal in thedirection of the course of the strap is not possible, or only aftersevering the strap. Furthermore, several straps can be provided. In oneembodiment, the straps encircle the stack in the longitudinal and thetransversal direction in order to secure the stack in all directionsagainst individual panels being pulled out. The strap preferablyconsists of paper, polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethyleneterephthalate. In one embodiment, the strap may be imprinted so as toact, additionally, as an advertising medium. Its comparably firm fixingto the stack provides for the information provided on the strap or theadvertising effect not getting lost.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the strap runs intransversally relative to the longitudinal direction of the panels. Ithas been found that thus, a shifting of the panels in a transversaldirection relative to the course of the strap, i.e. in the longitudinaldirection of the panels, is thus prevented to a sufficient extent andthat, advantageously, additional straps in the longitudinal directioncan be dispensed with. The strap is, for example, elastic, consists, forexample, of stretch foil, and is designed so as to retain the individualpanels in a clamping manner. In another embodiment, the strap liesaround the stack so tightly that it jams and thus prevents in a clampingmanner further pulling out when a panel is pulled out, in particular theoutermost panels. The arrangement of the strap transversal relative tothe longitudinal direction of the stack has no adverse effect upon thestackability of several stacks on top of each other. For example, asingle strap that is narrow compared with the stack and runs in thelongitudinal direction is disadvantageous in that the stacks do notoverlie each other flatly due to the thickness of the strap, and thatthus, several stacks lie on top of each other in an unstable manner,i.e. not flatly, which in the end has a negative influence on themaximum stacking height. The latter is particularly disadvantageousespecially in DIY stores because, on the one hand, the public may not beendangered, and, on the other hand, the display area is valuable.Moreover, the strap is comparatively short because of this arrangement,which is an advantage in view of the above mentioned Packaging Ordinanceand its general requirement of reduction of the quantity of packagingmeans contained therein.

In another advantageous embodiment, the strap is arranged at a distanceto the side of the panel. This prevents the strap from slipping off thestack, in particular, when the panels are shifted relative to each otherduring transport. It was found that a distance of more than 5 cm betweenthe strap and the side of the panel or the stack is sufficient forsecuring the strap against slipping off the stack in a sufficient degreeat the usual mechanical strains the stack is exposed to, for exampleduring transport. It was found in experiments that this ensures that theclamping effect of the strap can arise when a panel is pulled out. Forexample, if a panel is pulled out in the longitudinal direction towardsthe other end of the stack, the panel sections that remain behind thestrap, as viewed in the reverse direction, suffice to ensure a jammingor clamping of the strap.

Another advantageous embodiment of the stack according to the inventionprovides, that the strap consists of polyvinyl chloride. This makes thestrap comparatively inexpensive to produce.

In another embodiment, the strap advantageously consists of shrink foil.This is cold-drawn thermoplastic material that returns to its originalstate during thermal treatment. It is accomplished by this shrinkingthat the strap is seated firmly on the stack after cooling, so that itretains the panels in a clamping manner.

According to another embodiment, the strap has a width of at least 2 cm.Experiments have shown that this ensures a clamping retention of thestraps and that, on the other hand, the amount of the packaging meanswithin the sense of the packaging ordinance is not unnecessarilyincreased.

Another embodiment provides that the strap is substantially transparent.For example, the strap has transparent sections or is entirelytransparent. Thus, for example, the surface of the panel may beinspected in spite of the strap, or product descriptions or layinginstructions disposed between the strap and the panels can be studied.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the means against theremoval of the panels advantageously comprise at least one retainingmember mounted on one side of the stack. The retaining member preventsshifting of the panels relative to each other. The retaining member may,for example, be attached to the packaging, it may, for example, bemolded into the packaging foil. The retaining member can be provided onits own and in combination with the aforementioned straps.

In one embodiment, the retaining member is attached to the respectivenarrow sides of the stack, and two straps encircling the stack runparallel to the narrow sides. The quantity of material required forsecuring the panels can advantageously be kept small by such a design ofthe means against removal.

According to another embodiment, the retaining member consists ofcardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. For example, theretaining member is formed in a cardboard cover enveloping the end faceof the stack. The thickness of the cardboard, at least at the sides ofthe retaining member that abut the end face of the stack, is selected sothat, on the one hand, tearing by the sharp-edged panels located in thestack, and, on the other hand, tearing from the outside, be it due tomanipulation or due to impacts, is prevented to a large extent.Corrugated cardboard is used in order to obtain a sufficient strength ofthe retaining member at comparatively small weight. The retaining memberis fixed to the stack, for example, by the stack being shrink-wrappedtogether with the retaining member.

In another advantageous embodiment, the retaining member is formedtrough-shaped. In this way, a particularly good fixing of the panels canbe achieved, in particular, a secure storage of the panels is achievedif other packagings or the aforementioned straps have been removed.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the retaining memberadvantageously has a reinforcing member. This is provided, for example,at areas that are especially exposed to stress. For example, a retainingmember of cardboard in which there are strips of plastic is provided.The stability of the retaining member can thus be particularlyincreased. On the one hand, the stability serves for increasing thedurability of the retaining member against mechanical stresses due tothe abutting panels. On the other hand, the strength of the retainingmember against attempts to rip it or remove it from the stack isincreased. It is thus not necessary to use more stable, but at the sametime comparatively expensive retaining members or packagings instead.

In an advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member runs at leastalong one of the narrow sides of the stack. It has been found that thestress is particularly high on the narrow sides, and that there is aninclination to tear open panel packagings on the narrow sides,especially.

In another advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member is arrangedin the vicinity of at least one corner of the stack. The corners of thestack, i.e. of the panels, have sharp edges. Therefor, the mechanicalstress on the retaining member is particularly high in the area of thecorners. Their stability is advantageously increased by thereinforcement.

In one embodiment, the reinforcing member, advantageously, isstrap-shaped or strip-shaped. Thus the material necessary in connectionwith the reinforcement, and thus the quantities of packaging means, canadvantageously be reduced in volume.

In another advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member isadvantageously arranged at least partially between the packaging and thestack. Thus, the exterior packaging can be protected from damage atleast in that area, so as to reduce, inter alia, the danger of injury byexterior damaged parts of the packaging.

In another advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing member isadvantageously at least glued together with parts of the retainingmembers. This ensures that the reinforcing member slips during transportor other mechanical strains on the stack. In one embodiment, the strapis glued into a piece of corrugated cardboard, which simplifies theproduction of the retaining member according to the invention in anadvantageous manner.

Another embodiment provides that the strap and/or the retaining memberare formed as an integral component of the packaging means. For example,the cardboard retaining member enveloping the end is formed integrallywith a cardboard packaging that envelops the stack and is foldedappropriately. The strap, for example, is formed as a thickened sectionin a foil enveloping the stack.

In one embodiment of the retaining member according to the invention,the reinforcing members consist of adhesive tape with the productdesignation Sesame® Tape CR-2348 or RPT® CR-2704B by the company Adalis,Vancouver, Wash. Sesame® Tape CR-2348, for example, has synthetic fibersas a carrier material, as well as a fracture strength of 68 kg and anextension value of 13% to 23%. RPT® CR-2704B has a synthetic foilmaterial as a carrier. The adhesive is activated by heat, for example.

Regarding the Figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a section of the stackaccording to the invention in one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top view on the retaining member according to FIG. 1 in anunfolded state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of the retaining member accordingto FIG. 1 in a partially folded state.

FIG. 1 shows a stack of panels 1. In particular, they are laminatepanels, the packaging of which requires much effort because of themultitude of sharp edges and protrusions due to the generally providedgroove-and-tongue-connections. A trough-shaped retaining member 2encases the panels 1. In FIG. 1, only one end of the panels 1 is shownframed by the retaining member 2. This end shown at the front in theillustration is only shown to be open for illustration purposes, and theretaining member 2 generally also envelops this end, as well, in atrough-shape. A strap 3, which additionally fixes the panels 1, isconducted around the stack of panels 1. Thus, the panels 1 canadvantageously be prevented from being pulled out of the stack. Theretaining member 2 forms a part of the protective packaging of the stackof panels 1. In addition, the stack can be shrink-wrapped in foil, whichis not shown.

FIG. 2 shows details of the retaining member 2 of corrugated cardboardas used in FIG. 1. The predetermined shape of the retaining member 2 isobtained by punching it out from a section of cardboard and is shown inFIG. 2 in the state after having been punched out, i.e. in the unfoldedstate. The retaining member 2 has strips 2 a and 2 b running along thelongitudinal side which, at the end shown, have extensions 2 c and 2 dthat protrude over the bottom surface and can be folded in. The stripsare folded up at the fold shown so as to form side walls 2 a and 2 b ofthe retaining member 2. A section 2 e that lengthens the bottom surfaceand forms a side wall limiting the retaining member in the transversaldirection when folded about the extensions 2 c and 2 d extends betweenthe side walls. A strip-shaped reinforcing member 3 is glued onto theextension 2 c. Although it is not shown, a reinforcing member is alsogenerally provided on the extension 2 d shown. This was not shown inFIG. 2 only for the sake of clarity. The reinforcing member 3, inanother embodiment, may run along the side surfaces of the trough-shapedretaining member 2 in the form of a strap.

FIG. 2 shows details of the retaining member 2 according to theinvention as used in FIG. 1. It is in the unfolded state. The retainingmember 2 has vertical sidewalls 2 a and 2 b on the longitudinal sidewhich, at the end shown, have extensions 2 c and 2 d that protrude overthe bottom surface and can be folded in. The extensions 2 c and 2 d canbe folded in to be flush with the narrow side of the bottom surface. Asection 2 e of the retaining member extended over the bottom surface canbe folded around the folded-in extensions 2 c and 2 d in order to fixthe extensions 2 c and 2 d and to form another side wall. Strip-shapedreinforcing members 4 a and 4 b are glued in within the sections ofcorrugated cardboard of the extensions 2 c, 2 d and of the section 2 e.Because they cannot be seen, generally, from the outside, they are shownin dotted lines in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity. The reinforcingmembers 4 a and 4 b run along the folding edges of the retaining memberin order not only to counteract the weakening of the corrugatedcardboard caused by the fold, but to also strengthen it so that it canbe torn only with difficulty along the fold, especially in the foldedstate of the retaining member 2.

FIG. 3 shows details of the retaining member 2 according to theinvention in a partially folded state, as it is used in FIG. 1. Thetrough-shaped retaining member 2 has vertical sidewalls 2 a and 2 b onthe longitudinal side which, at the end shown, have extensions 2 c and 2d that protrude over the bottom surface and can be folded in. Theextensions 2 c and 2 d can be folded in to be flush with the narrow sideof the bottom surface. A section 2 e of the retaining member extendedover the bottom surface can be folded around the folded-in extensions 2c and 2 d in order to fix the extensions 2 c and 2 d and to form anotherside wall. A surface, which more or less corresponds to the panel, justas that of the bottom surface does, is defined by the side walls thusformed. Strip-shaped reinforcing members 4 a and 4 b are glued in withinthe sections of corrugated cardboard of the extensions 2 c, 2 d and ofthe section 2 e. Because they cannot be seen, generally, from theoutside, they are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 for the sake ofclarity. The reinforcing members 4 a and 4 b in particular run along thefolding edges of the retaining member in order not only to counteractthe weakening of the corrugated cardboard caused by the fold, but toalso strengthen it so that it can be torn only with difficulty along thefold, especially in the folded state of the retaining member 2.

1. Stack of several stacked panels, in particular laminate panels, witha packaging of the stack, with means against the removal of the panelsfrom the packaging, wherein the means against the removal of the panelshave at least one a retaining member, attached on one side of the stack,in particular the narrow side, and manufactured from cardboard providedwith folds, as well as a strap-shaped or strip-shaped reinforcingmember, the reinforcing member being arranged at least partially betweenthe packaging and the stack and along at least one of the folding edgesof the retaining member, so that the weakening due to the fold iscounteracted and that the folding edge is reinforced.
 2. Stack accordingto claim 1, wherein the means against the removal of the panels furthercomprise at least one strap around the stack.
 3. Stack according toclaim 1, wherein the strap runs transversally relative to thelongitudinal direction of the panels.
 4. Stack according to claim 1,wherein the strap is arranged at a distance to a side of the panel. 5.Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap consists of polyvinylchloride.
 6. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap consists ofshrinking foil.
 7. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strap has awidth of at least 2 cm.
 8. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strapis substantially transparent.
 9. Stack according to claim 1, wherein theretaining member is formed trough-shaped.
 10. Stack according to claim1, wherein the reinforcing member runs at least along one of the narrowsides of the stack.
 11. Stack according to claim 1, wherein thereinforcing member covers the corners of the stack.
 12. Stack accordingto claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is glued to at least parts ofthe retaining member.
 13. Stack according to claim 1, wherein the strapand/or the retaining member are formed as an integral component of thepackaging.